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The Awakened Mage

Hello! I've been working on a Mage: The Awakening [2e] inspired DnD class for the last couple weeks. This is just a first version, aiming mostly for first-pass completeness so that I can get coherent feedback.

For those unfamiliar with Mage, it is similar to a Spheres of Power system but extremely flexible. It is part of the New World of Darkness/Chronicles of Darkness game system. I could not faithfully bring all of it over because there is just too much and differences in common D&D cosmology make some things incompatible. That said, this, I hope, brings the spirit of Mage to D&D.

Notably incomplete: Creative Thaumaturgy exploring creating spells appropriate to this method of spellcasting and the Spell Codex with examples. I have some of this written up elsewhere but not complete enough to include here.

UPDATE: The content of this class is now formatted (almost entirely) properly below. The original version is still found above on Homebrewery.

Spoiler: The Awakened Mage

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The Awakened Mage
See through the Lie. Reshape reality. Awaken to the supernal truth.

Spoiler: Document Status

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This is Version 1.1 as of 2020-03-01.

Notably absent is some of the fluff text, (almost) all of the spell examples for various practices for each Arcanum, and the entirety of the Creative Thaumaturgy chapter.

TODO:

1. Move Soul stuff from Death to Spirit. With the lack of a distinction between ghosts and spirits, it really just seems like Death is stepping on Spirits toes and Spirit is already pretty bare. Look into 4e Shaman to flesh out Spirit more.
2. Example spells!
3. In CT, talk about spell design with base cost and dynamic costs.

Spoiler: Credits

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Text Credits

This class is an attempt to bring some of the feeling of Mage: The Awakening and the creative spirit it inspires to D&D. As such, some of the text in this class is from MtAw because I couldn't say it better myself. The following sections either directly or heavily draw from the MtAw book:

An Awakened Mageis one who as been enlightened to the Supernal, the Platonic realm underlying our reality. They are fundamentally curious, inquisitive creatures. Their brush with this fundamental truth drives them to understand it. They do this by seeking out Mysteries, unexplained phenomena whose answers may yield insight into the greater mystery that is all of reality.

What event awakened your mage to the Supernal? How do they react to the inability for others to see what they so plainly see? How does their intense curiosity drive them forward and affect their personality? Do they seek to understand things for themselves or do they have some greater question that understanding reality will allow them to answer? How do they see other magic users and react to their general dismissal of Awakened practices?

Quick Build

You can make an Awakened Mage quickly by following these suggestions: First, Intelligence should be your highest ability score, followed by Dexterity or Constitution. Second, choose the Sage background. For your Path, choose Obrimos. For your first dot in an Arcanum, choose Forces, one of the Ruling Arcanum for Obrimos. For your Rotes and Praxes, choose two each from Absorb Elements, Control Flames, Darkness, Fire Bolt, Ice Knife, Invisibility, Light, Mage Hand, Shield, or Thunderclap.

Spoiler: Arcana vs. Arcanum

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This class, being a port from Mage: The Awakening, refers to the spheres of magic as Arcanum. This class also makes use of Arcana ability checks. I will always use Arcanum to refer to the category of magic. I have also tried to ensure the difference is clear from context

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

- (a) a Quarterstaff or (b) a Dagger
- (a) a Shortbow or (b) a Sling (either with 30 pieces of ammunition)
- (a) a dungeoneer's pack or (b) a scholar's pack
- Leather armor

Spoiler: Multiclassing

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Awakened can come from all walks of life. There are no multiclassing restrictions. However, this class is incompatible with traditional magical theory. That is, Mana from this class does not stack with traditional spell points, sorcery points, or spell slots in any way.

Spoiler: Arcane Path

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When Mages awaken, they typically awaken with affinities towards certain aspects of the Supernal. These affinities and distastes for certain aspects of the Supernal are called Paths with the aspects themselves called Arcanum.

You choose a Path at level 1 from Acanthus, Mastigos, Moros, Obrimos, or Thyrsus. See Awakened Paths below for full descriptions and benefits of each path - in particular, the Ruling Arcanum, Inferior Arcanum, and Attainments will help you understand what your strengths and weaknesses will be.

Each level you gain as an Awakened Mage, you earn one dot to invest to further your understanding of a given Arcanum. It is recommended your first investment be in one of your Path's two Ruling Arcanum.

Spoiler: Thaumaturgy

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The core ability granted by Awakening is the ability to perceive and manipulate the fundamental reality of the world. The smallest unit of change a mage can impart is called a spell. In order to cast these spells, the mage must imagine each part of the spell in their mind before releasing it by spending Mana. The mental image formed in their mind is called the Imago of the spell.

Please see the Creative Thaumaturgy (not complete at this time) for details and advice on spell creation.

Rotes

Rotes are the Awakened equivalent of cantrips. Spells they have either practiced or taken to so easily as to be second nature. Rotes primary benefit is that they offer substantially reduced Mana cost.

At 1st level, you know 2 rotes of your choice appropriate to your chosen Arcanum. You will learn additional rotes over time as shown in the Awakened Mage table. Each level, you may choose on of the rotes you know and replace it with another that you are able to cast.

Praxes

Much as a Sorcerer learns certain manipulations of magic or a Wizard prepares their spells each day, a praxis is the Awakened equivalent of a formalized spell that they have learned, memorized, or copied into their spell book.

While Awakened institutions and shared formalizations are rare, praxes often represent those spells that mages have decided to spend the time themselves to formalize the Imago because they recognize that they use it often enough to refine it. Though, sometimes Awakened do manage to find each other and are eager to share their praxes and collaborate in their research with a kindred mind -- to a point.

At 1st level, you know 2 praxes of your choice appropriate to your chosen Arcanum. You will learn additional praxes over time as shown in the Awakened Mage table. Each level, you may choose on of the praxes you know and replace it with another that you are able to cast.

Spell Cost in Mana

Dot Rating

Rote

Praxis/Freeform

DC

1

0

4

16

2

2

8

17

3

5

12

18

4

9

16

19

5

14

20

20

Spells that combine multiple arcanum cost the full mana of the highest dot arcanum in the Imago and half of the cost of each other arcanum.

For example, a spell with 3 dots of Force and 2 dots of Death is 16 mana (12 from 3 dots of Force and half of the 8 mana the 2 dots of Death brings).

Improvised Spells

The distinctive feature of the Awakened Mage is their ability to take what they know of their Arcanum and construct an Imago for spells on the fly. Casting a spell without a rote or praxis to guide you costs the same mana as a praxis, you merely must suffer the difficulty -- and danger -- of forming the Imago from scratch.

When casting an improvised spell, you pay the normal mana cost as if it were a praxis, then you must make an Arcana check to determine whether your Imago is free of defect. If the highest dot arcanum of the spell is one of your Ruling Arcanum, roll with advantage. If the spell involves any dots of your Inferior Arcanum, roll with disadvantage.

Spells involving multiple Arcanum are slightly more difficult than normal improvised spells. Calculate the DC normally using the highest dot Arcanum of the spell, then add one to the DC for each other Arcanum involved.

If you fail to meet or exceed the DC, you suffer the effects of the malformed Imago. A sort of magical backlash occurs which you can either release or contain. If you contain it, you gain one level of exhaustion. If you release it, your magic is unpredictably corrupted. This may take the form of your spell going off with it's parameters slightly changed (heightened, lowered, expanded, shrunk, etc) or spawning entirely new magic. For example, your DM might roll on the Wild Magic table or come up with other similar expressions of Wild Magic.

Exhaustion caused by spell backlash may not be healed by magic short of a 9th level spell or 5th dot effect, and must be removed one level at a time.

Spellcasting Ability

Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for the Awakened Mage, as your magic draws upon investigation and exploration of understanding of the universe. You use your Intelligence whenever a spell or effect refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Intelligence modifier when setting the saving throw DC for one of your effects and when making an attack roll with magic.

The DCs for improvised spells are designed to have between 75-85% chance of success on Ruling Arcanum spells, 50% chance for other spells, and 25-35% chance for spells involving your Inferior Arcanum.

With bounded accuracy, we aren't left with much wiggle room in the system to modify this without either making it too easy or too hard. If you'd like to make it more difficult, I recommend simply omitting the advantage and disadvantage aspects. A ~50% chance of exhaustion is a fairly hefty price.

Note: If your player attempts to use Expertise, Portent, Lucky, or anything else to improve their Improvised Spell successes, find the nearest PHB or DMG and throw it at their head.

Spoiler: Mage Sight

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Treat as if casting the Detect Magic spell at-will, but the mage may also spend an action to learn which Arcanum are involved in a magical effect. By spending a minute concentrating on an effect, they learn the exact dot rating of each Arcanum involved in the effect that they also have dots in.

Spoiler: Attainments

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Beginning at 2nd level, and at other levels specified in the Awakened Mage table, you become eligible for innate abilities granted to you by your mastery over various Arcanum.

Once you become eligible for that tier of attainment, 1st Order and 2nd Order Attainments are granted for every Arcanum you have enough dots invested.

You only receive one attainment each of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Order, chosen when you become eligible according to the Awakened Mage table. You may change one choice of attainment you are eligible for every time you gain a level.

For example, an 11th level Awakened Mage can have up to 3 Arcanum with 3 dots. They would choose only one of those Arcanum to gain its 3rd Order Attainment.

Spoiler: Creators Comment: Attainments and Practices

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Attainments are not perfectly indicative of what you can or cannot do with a given Arcanum at that dot level. While some are standard applications of the Arcanum, some are inappropriate for that dot level, or are even subject to different rules than normal.

For example, Attainments generally cannot be counterspelled or dispelled as they are often internal or constantly applied effects exerted by the mage.

Always consider the list of Practices available at that dot level and the given examples for the Arcanum rather than relying on attainments for examples.

Spoiler: Archmastery

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While you are still beholden to the ruthless requirement of the Universe to expend mana to effect your will, you have become incredibly skilled at forming the Imago of Improvised Spells.

Beginning at level 20, you no longer need to make an Arcana check when casting an Improvised Spell, unless it involves your Inferior Arcanum. Even then, any check (including Counterspell) that would have been at disadvantage due to involving your Inferior Arcanum is no longer at disadvantage.

Spoiler: Awakened Paths

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Awakened Paths

Spoiler: Acanthus

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Acanthus

Ruling Arcanum

Fate

Acanthuss Ruling Arcanum are Time and Fate, and Fate is the subtle expression of that pair. Fate describes what should or must happen, but not precisely when or how that result will come about (those are the province of Time). Fate governs blessings, curses, destiny, fortune, oaths, probability, luck, and intent. Those who master it may seem lucky or carefree, but in reality they deal in the inevitable and learn to anticipate it  whether to accept the dictates of destiny or redirect the road they walk.

Time

Time is the obvious Arcanum of the pair, governing the progression of events through the ever-advancing present in a way perpendicular to Fates subtlety. Some Acanthus liken Time to a loosed arrow, and Fate to the archers aim. Time governs the history and diverse potential futures of the world. All things must pass. Legends rise and fall. Even gods die and fade into obscurity. Nothing is eternal, save perhaps for time itself.

Inferior Arcanum

Forces

Lightning arrives at its appointed time in the tale, not before. To Acanthus, elemental powers are visible manifestations of destiny and Fae passions. Fire isnt heat alone, but the anger of the Fair Folk or the climax of an apocalyptic myth; it is not to be raised through some mechanistic act of will.

The Feywild
The Fey are creatures of Fate: trickery, blessings, curses and oaths are like breathing to them. And Time in their domain does not always flow as we would expect. Common are the stories of a farmer accidentally entering the Fey and coming back to find his family has grown old.

Acanthus are drawn to the Fey and the Feywilds, learning from them and following the Mysteries there to learn more about Fate.

Spoiler: Mastigos

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Mastigos

Ruling Arcanum

Mind

Mind is concerned with the collective consciousness that is formed from all creatures capable of thought. The Arcanum encompasses all mental realms from simple concepts and emotions, to complex communications and higher states of mental awareness. Initiates of the Mind tend to explore social interactions and the core concepts that make up language, communication, and shared experiences.

Space

Space expresses that physical separation is as much a lie as the isolation of the soul. Through this Arcanum, the mage can magnify or collapse the distance between places and objects, conjure things from distant locales, and twist the topography of space into strange and unnatural shapes. Space also allows a mage to manipulate the sympathetic connection between subjects.

Inferior Arcanum

Matter

Matter sticks in the conceptual gullet of the Mastigos. While the Mastigos lives in the world of the abstract, the solidity and unyielding surfaces of Matter confound them.

The Astral Plane

The Astral Plane is the realm of thought and dream, where visitors travel as disembodied souls to reach the planes of the divine and demonic. It is a great, silvery sea with swirling wisps of white and gray streaking among motes of light resembling distant stars. Erratic whirlpools of color flicker in midair like spinning coins. Occasional bits of solid matter can be found here, but most of the Astral Plane is an endless, open domain.

Spoiler: Moros

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Moros

Ruling Arcanum

Death

Death is the Arcanum governing souls, absence, and the cessation of things. Those who study Death find themselves deeply involved in matters of endings, decay, and darkness. This tends to make practitioners seem morbid, though few are. Mages who delve into the mysteries of Death find solace and understanding in the fact that all things come to an end. While such thoughts may look fatalistic on the surface, a mage who sees past the Lie realizes she has the power to not only create these states, but to control, manipulate, and even prevent them. She can bolster a soul or reverse the effects of aging just as well as she can destroy souls or and steal the life from another.

Matter

Matter is a study in contradictions. It is at once the Arcanum of stasis and transformation, creating objects that will last a thousand years and reshaping objects at a whim. Matters purview is all the inert, lifeless things of the world: iron and steel, air and water, and all the riches of the earth. Things which were once alive but are no longer, as well as substances derived from life but which are not themselves alive, are also governed by this Arcanum. A Matter spell can rot and warp the boards of a wooden house, or turn a glass of water into wine. Matter is seen as the most base of the Arcanum by many mages, closest to the profane Lie, but the Moros Masters know that the crude Matter of the world is but an echo of the Supernal.

Inferior Arcanum

Spirit

Moros know that despite out ward appearances, inert things dance with activity. Moros know that spirits exist, and that the world has a life beyond death, but feel no interest toward it. Death provides its own invisible kingdoms, and Matter moves even in the absence of will.

The Plane of Shadows

The Plane of Shadow is a world of black and white; color itself has been bleached from the environment. It is otherwise appears similar (but not exactly identical) to the Material Plane. While the Plane of Shadow is not evil in and of itself, it is home to a wide variety of foul creatures that hate the light and the living. The best known denizen of the plane is the shadow, an undead creature that sucks the strength from adventurers on either the Material Plane or the Plane of Shadow.

Spoiler: Obrimos

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Obrimos

Ruling Arcanum

Forces

Countless legends of wizards conjuring lightning to smite their foes, dancing among pillars of unnatural flame, flying, and directing storms against their foes speak to the presence of raw power Forces represents. With it a mage can alter and control light, sound, fire, and electricity  even gravity, radiation, and weather patterns. Forces is rarely subtle, but clever wizards find ways to use it so: hearing a sound from across a room, deadening the noise spellcasting makes, or seeing great distances. Skilled practitioners of Forces can also unleash tornadoes, earthquakes, and devastating blasts of fire when subtlety gives way to quick anger.

Prime

Just as a language must have words to describe itself, so too must the Supernal have an Arcanum that describes it. Prime is that Arcanum. Its purview is the manipulation of magic itself. Through Prime, a mage becomes attuned to the Supernal Truth, capable of piercing illusions and calling forth perfected images of the symbol-thing of the Supernal. Arrogant Obrimos sometimes claim that this makes Prime the greatest of the Arcanum, but that is an oversimplification. Prime is the Arcanum through which the Supernal knows itself, but without the other Arcanum, it is as empty as a language whose only vocabulary is parts of speech.

Inferior Arcanum

Death

Death is an interruption, not an end. Obrimos represent the power that cleanses, and have little talent for the Arcanum of rot and stagnation.

The Elemental Planes

The Elemental Planes are a collection of 6 major sources of energy and the 12 minor borders between them. The 6 major sources have the Positive Energy Plane and the Negative Energy Plane as poles, with the planes of Air, Fire, Earth, and Water between them. Then there are the Paraelemental planes of Smoke, Magma, Ooze, and Ice - borders between the primary Elemental Planes. Finally, the positive and negative Quasielemental Planes borders between one of the poles and one of the primary Elemental Planes. The positive quasiplanes are the planes of Lightning, Radiance, Mineral, and Steam. The negative quasiplanes are the planes of Vacuum, Ash, Dust, and Salt.

Spoiler: Thyrsus

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Thyrsus

Ruling Arcanum

Spirit

What we do in this world has echoes that we cannot see or hear or feel, but which are no less real for all that. Spirit mages understand those repercussions, and know that it falls to them to act as intercessors between the Visible and the Invisible. Spirits purview is the Ethereal Plane and its denizens, the spirits.

Life

Life magic governs all living things, in fact, from viruses to titanic whales, even the nerve cells that allow thoughts to form Imagos. Life is tenacious in the extreme, capable of surviving anywhere, developing any trait to weather environmental stresses, and Life mages are comparably tough. By harnessing the endless adaptability of living forms, mages can gain perspectives on the world otherwise lost even to Awakened senses.

Inferior Arcanum

#### Mind

To imagine Mind as a coherent Arcanum asks Thyrsus to deny the holistic nature of existence. To a Thyrsus, human consciousness is an adaptation, like a thumb or bipeds gait. That people can imagine themselves as individual minds is no more relevant than a lions jaws. Theyre functions, not truths of the soul.

### The Ethereal Plane

One great danger of the Ethereal Plane is ghosts, which often call this plane home. Such creatures have a deep and abiding hatred of the living, and no love for those travelers who impinge upon their realms. Unlike most planes, the Ethereal Plane allows vision across the planar border to the plane it's coexistent with: the Material Plane. No matter where you are on the Ethereal Plane, you can see the corresponding part of the Material Plane. Vision is limited, however, to 60 feet both on the Ethereal Plane and onto the Material Plane. The reverse isn't true. An ethereal traveler is normally invisible and inaudible to an individual on the Material Plane. Spells and abilities such as see invisible reveal an ethereal object or creature

Spoiler: Custom Paths

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## Custom Paths

While these five Paths accomodate the vast majority of Awakened Mages, there are always those who defy standard categorization.

To define your own Arcane Path, choose two Ruling Arcanum, one Inferior Arcanum, and a plane of existence closesly tied to one or both of the Ruling Arcanum. Then, examine what the philosophy and worldview would emerge from a focus of these aspects of reality and how that might affect the personality and outlook of it's adherents. How might they view other Paths and vice versa?

Spoiler: Awakened Practices

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Awakened Ranks
Mages divide the art of magic into thirteen Practices of increasing complexity. Demonstrating their expertise with these methodologies is how mages claim rank and privilege: A Thyrsus who has demonstrated the ability to cast Spirit Unmaking spells has earned the right to call herself a Master, for example. When they require further gradation, mages specify the number of Arcanum they have achieved their highest rank in: if the same Thyrsus also successfully casts a Life Making spell she may call herself a second-degreeMaster.
-- Mage: The Awakening (2e), pg. 123

## Practices

Spoiler: Initiate: 1 Dot

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##### Compelling

Compelling spells nudge a preferred but possible outcome into reality. A coin toss can be made to come up tails (Fate), a bored worker might choose now to visit the latrine (Mind), or a beast can be forced to avoid your camp (Mind). Making the coin hover and spin in midair, making the worker walk into her bosss office and quit, or making the beast ignore its favorite prey are beyond the bounds of a Compelling spell.

If a phenomenon might reasonably occur given the current situation, a mage can guarantee it with Compelling. With Fate, a mage can guarantee heads or tails, with Mind a bored laborer might choose to visit the latrine now instead of later or a beast may avoid a camp rather than indulge their curiosity from the smells. At this level of control, you couldn't make a coin hover and spin in the air, a content worker quit their job, or a beast ignore its favorite prey.

##### Knowing

Knowing spells deliver knowledge about something directly to the mage (or to another target). A mage can divine the cause of a corpses death (Death), sense whether someone has a powerful destiny (Fate), or unerringly know which way is north (Space). This knowledge is a direct awareness of Supernal truth; the mage doesnt have to interpret evidence based on her senses or try to divine the truth out of cryptic riddles.

##### Unveiling

Unveiling spells expose hidden things to the mages senses. She might gain the ability to hear radio waves (Forces), peer into the Ethereal Plane (Spirit), or see the flow of Mana across the landscape (Prime).

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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##### Ruling

Ruling spells grant fuller control over phenomena than a mere Compelling spell. Water can be made to flow uphill or into unnatural shapes (Matter), animals (or even human beings) can be commanded (Life or Mind), or time can be momentarily made to accelerate or slow down (Time). A Ruling spell cant fundamentally alter its targets abilities: Water can be directed, but not turned solid or gaseous. Time can be altered, but not overwritten. An animal can be commanded, but not made stronger or fiercer.

##### Shielding

Shielding spells, sometimes called Warding spells, offer protection against phenomena under the Arcanums purview. A Shielding spell might make the mage immune to fire (Forces) or disease (Life), or allow her to survive in a caustic atmosphere (Matter). Mages protect themselves from general harm through the power of their Arcanum with the Mage Armor Attainment rather than Shielding spells.

##### Veiling

Veiling spells are twofold: they can hide the contents of their Arcanum or they can hide things from their Arcanum.

Firstly, they can conceal things under the Arcanums purview from detection: A target can be made to lose all sense of time (Time), a fires heat and light can be hidden from view (Forces), or a building made all but impossible to notice (Matter).

Secondly, they can conceal a target from concrete phenomena under the Arcanum's purview: a mage can render herself invisible to spirits (Spirit) or walk unnoticed through a crowd (Life or Mind). Short of Archmastery, it's impossible to Veil something against an abstract concept or force: a mage cant Veil herself against death or hide from time, for example.

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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##### Fraying

Like Veiling, Fraying has two parts: you can use it to attack/degrade things in the Arcanum or you can use things in the Arcanum to attack/degrade other things.

For example, damping a fire (Forces), sapping Strength (Life), or eroding the barrier between worlds (Death, Spirit, or others, depending on the worlds in question).

They can also directly attack targets using the energies of the Arcanum: inflicting damage via the chill of the grave (Death), psychic overload (Mind), or a blast of electricity (Forces).

##### Perfecting

Perfecting spells are the opposite of Fraying spells in many ways: they bolster, strengthen, and improve rather than weakening and eroding. A Perfecting spell might repair damage to an object or a person (Matter or Life), allow a machine to function perfectly with no wear and tear (Matter), or make a modest destiny into an earth-shaking one (Fate).

##### Weaving

Weaving spells can alter nearly any property of a target without transforming it into something completely different. Solid steel can be transmuted to liquid (Matter), a sword can be enchanted to damage beings in the Material and Ethereal Planes (Spirit), or a few seconds of time can be rewritten (Time).

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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##### Patterning

Patterning spells allow a mage to completely transform a target into something else that falls under the Arcanums purview. A memory can be replaced wholesale (Mind), the mage can turn herself (or a target) into an animal (Life), or she can teleport by rewriting her own location (Space). A spell that transforms the target into something that falls within the purview of another Arcanum, like transforming into a living pillar of fire (Life and Forces), requires a mage to know the Practice of Patterning for the destination Arcanum.

##### Unraveling

Unraveling spells can significantly impair or damage phenomena under the Arcanums purview, or directly inflict severe damage using the forces of an Arcanum, both to a greater degree than Fraying spells. A raging storm might become a calm summers day (Forces), or solid iron reduced to dust (Matter); even spells can be torn asunder (Prime). Mages can hurl fire (Forces) at their enemies, or cause aneurysms and heart attacks with a glance (Mind or Life).

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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##### Making

Making spells allow for the creation of whole new phenomena ex nihilo. The mage can conjure gamma rays (Forces), birth new spirits (Spirit). Time itself can be dilated by creating more seconds, hours, or even days (Time).

##### Unmaking

Unmaking spells annihilate subjects under the Arcanums purview entirely. Life can be snuffed like a candle (Life), two locations can be forced into each other by destroying the distance between them (Space). Unmaking spells are beyond inflicting direct damage with attacks; a successful Unmaking destroys the target altogether.

Spoiler: Fraying vs. Unraveling vs. Unmaking

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Fraying damages things, Unraveling destroys things, Unmaking causes things to cease to be.Fraying a wall with Matter might cause it to burst outwards, creating large chunks that a creature can crawl through.Unraveling might turn the entire wall into sand, as near to complete destruction as you can normally have.Unmaking, however, and the Matter of the wall is simply gone. No trace of it remains.

Spoiler: Many Roads

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Astute players will likely figure out a multitude of ways to accomplish similar effects with different Arcanum, sometimes at different dot levels. This is okay. Just because a Fate 3 spell can do a thing doesnt mean a Forces 1 spell that does a similar thing is broken or should be disallowed.

Take for example influencing the outcome of a coin toss. A simple Compelling of Fate can easily tip the odds toward either heads or tails, but its theoretically possible to use a Forces spell to alter the kinetic energy imparted to the coin, causing it to spin slower, or use a MatterWeaving spell to change the coins center of mass (or cause the appearance of both sides to your chosen side). Both are perhaps more complicated than the Fate approach, but theyre valid within the purview of their respective Arcanum.

Similarly, a Mind Weaving spell could force a target to feel love, while a Life Ruling spell could cause the targets brain to release dopamine and other hormones that create a similar, but different, effect. You could also use Fate to cause love to blossom between individuals more naturally over time.

Spoiler: Alternative Mechanics

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## Alternative Mechanics

These mechanics are purely optional and subject to DM approval. They drastically alter the mechanics and power level of this class and are documented here but not endorsed for all play and settings.

### Spell Permanency

The mage has learned how to maintain spells using their own life force. Any spell that has a duration longer than instantaneous may be extended by sacrificing part of their own vitality.

The mage begins by enacting a ritual appropriate to the Arcanum of effect to be persisted, lasting 1 hour, during which the mage temporarily lowers their maximum HP by a number equal to 3 times the maximum dot rating of the effect. At the conclusion of the ritual, the mage casts their spell. It's duration becomes until dispelled or dismissed and it no longer requires concentration.

The mage may at any time release the spell as a Reaction or the spell may be dispelled normally. When this occurs, the mages maximum HP is restored, but their current HP remains the same.

Re: The Awakened Mage

This is actually more mechanically relevant than most of the other content above, but the prior content puts them in perspective. These are the Arcanum that the mage invests their dots in to further their understanding and gain attainments.

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Death, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Death Arcanum, both of which cost 5 mana.

Treat this effect like the Counterspell or Dispel Magic spells, with the following modification: the effect is only automatic against 1 dot or 1st level spell effects. Like the spells, if it is higher than this, make an Arcana ability check against a DC equal to 10 + (spell level or twice the dot rating). You have a bonus on this check equal to your rating in Death. Like an improvised spell, you have advantage on this check if it is one of your Ruling Arcanum and disadvantage if the spell *includes* your Inferior Arcanum.

Spoiler: Counterspell Eligibility

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When considering what is eligible for this feature, imagine if the spell effect were an Awakened spell. If the highest dot of that imagined spell would be Death, it is eligible.
This eligiblity rule applies for all Counterspell Attainments.

Attainment: Entropic Armor
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage gains damage reduction from physical, non-magical damage sources equal to twice their rating in Death for 8 hours.

They also have advantage on Death Saving Throws.

Spoiler: Armor Effects

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Only one Armor Attainment may be active at a time.
While an existing Armor Attainment is active, a mage may switch to a different one by spending 2 mana as a reaction.
This applies for all Armor Attainments.

Attainment: Eyes of the Dead
Beginning at 5th level, when Entropic Armor is active, the apprentice of Death is alerted when undead are within 120ft. While using their Mage Sight, they gain a rough sense of direction and number of undead within that range.

If the undead are being hidden through some power or ability, make an opposed check by rolling a d20 and adding your rating in Death against a d20 and either the opposing forces rating in Death or half of the spell level of the effect (rounding up). You only gain the rough sense of number and direction if you succeed this check.

Attainment: Shadow Step
Beginning at level 9, you gain the ability to step from one shadow into another. When you are in dim light or darkness, as a bonus action you may step through the shadow into the Plane of Shadow then back out into a nearby shadow you can see within 60 ft.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning: Flesh to ShadowUnwraveling: Finger of Death

Attainment: Inviolate Soul
Beginning at level 13, the soul of an Adept is inured to Death. The mage cannot be possessed or otherwise have their soul tampered or damaged. Further, they become resistant to necromatic and cold damage.

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Fate, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Fate Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Fate Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Armor of Destiny
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage is protected by Fate. All attacks made against the mage are made with disadvantage for 8 hours. Attacks miss, the mage trips at just the right moment, a knife glances off buttons on their coat, etc.

They also have advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws as they find themselves in opportune places to avoid attacks when Fate cannot fully protect them.

Attainment: Ill Omens
Beginning at 5th level, while Armor of Destiny is active, the mage is alerted when they are about to be attacked. While not enough time to warn their allies, they cannot be *surprised*.

If the attackers are being hidden through some power or ability, make an opposed check by rolling a d20 and adding your rating in Fate against a d20 and either the opposing forces rating in Fate or half of the spell level of the effect (rounding up). You only gain the alert and avoid *surprise* if you succeed this check.

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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Fraying:Perfecting:Weaving:

Attainment: Lucky Steps
Beginning at level 9, you gain the ability to move through *difficult terrain* as if it were normal terrain. Your feet always seem to find the solid rocks in the scree field, solid ground in bogs, or avoid stubbing your toes on furniture in the dark.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Poor Target
Beginning at level 13, the Adept has only to fear those that would choose to harm them. Traps that they set off seem to miss miss. Roll a d20 when the mage sets off a trap, if it is 10 or below, the trap still goes off but automatically misses the mage. Otherwise, resolve the trap normally.
(Replace with Conditional Duration, if possible.)

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: Shared Fate
Beginning at level 17, the Master can tie the fate of another to their own. By spending 10 minutes meditating with a target of their choice, the target benefits from all of the Fate attainments active on the Master for the next 8 hours.

Spoiler: Limitations of Fate

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Fate is a controversial Arcanum in play. Care should be taken as players and GMs to establish boundaries on what it can, cannot, or should not do. While creating the 'fate' or 'destiny' of success of a task is certainly within the realm of the possible, it should not obviate the need to play the game or entirely bypass every encounter.

The more specific you are with Fate, the more likely you're abusing it in some way.

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Forces, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Forces Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Forces Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Kinetic Armor
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage gains a bonus to their AC equal to their rating in Force as attacks without enough kinetic energy are turned away, deflected by their shield. This effect lasts for 8 hours.

They also have advantage on Strength Saving Throws.

Attainment: Precise Force

Beginning at 5th level, while their Kinetic Armor is active, the apprentice of Forces may optimize their own application of force. When they take a bonus action to calculate their action, then use the Attack action, the base weapon damage die of one of their weapons is doubled for the rest of their turn.

For example, an apprentice wielding a quarterstaff, taking a moment to identify the optimal application of force against their enemy, would deal 2d6 + STR damage on a hit.

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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Fraying:Perfecting:Weaving:

Attainment: Gravitic Supremacy
Beginning at level 9, the mage may subconsciously control the magnitude and direction of gravity on themselves. The mage gains a fly speed equal to 10ft per dot in Forces.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Environmental Immunity
Beginning at level 13, while their Kinetic Armor is active, the Adept has little to fear of wind, fire, cold, lightning - the forces of nature are largely under their command. The mage is immune to elemental environmental hazards. Buffeting winds, fire, sleet, and thunder/lightning seem to leave them untouched.

Direct attacks with these damage types are under the control of others, diminishing the control the mage has over these forces. The mage has resistance to elemental, force, and physical damage types.

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: Forceful Presence
Beginning at level 17, the mage may constantly exert their will of Force around them through themselves. While their Kinetic Armor is active, the mage may use their dot rating in Force in place of their *Dexterity* or *Strength* modifier (chosen when Kinetic Armor is activated, or swapped for 2 mana as a *reaction* like changing armors).

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Life, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Life Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Life Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Regenerative Armor
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage gains a degree of life regeneration. For the next 8 hours, at the start of their turn if they are below their hit point maximum and have not taken damage since their last turn ended, they gain an amount of HP equal to their rating in Life.

Psychic damage cannot be healed this way. Further, if severe bodily harm, such as amputation or other loss of limb occurs, Regenerative Armor heals the wound but does not regrow the lost piece.

They also have advantage on Constitution Saving Throws.

Attainment: Vitality Vision
Beginning at 5th level, while Regenerative Armor is active, the apprentice of Life is able to analyze and understand the general state of health of those around them. As a bonus action, the mage may analyze a target they can see with their Mage Sight. They learn the general state of health of the target including approximate current HP and any diseases or afflictions affecting the target. By spending an action, the mage may also learn the modifier of one attribute of the target.

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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Fraying:Perfecting:Weaving:

Attainment: Mutable Self
Beginning at level 9, the mage may cast Alter Self at will and the effect does not require concentration.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Body Autonomy
Beginning at level 13, the body of an Adept is their temple. It cannot be altered without their consent. Any incoming magical effect that would change their physical body may automatically be countered.

This includes effects like Polymorph or direct attacks like Inflict Wounds or Contagion. It does not affect indirect attacks like Fireball.

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: Abiogenesis
Beginning at level 17, the mage is immune to disease, toxins, and poisons. Further, they no longer age, unless they will it, as their body is constantly healing itself to repair any natural damage.

Finally, the mage gains the ability from Mutable Self (if they didn't already have it) and the effect becomes instantaneous (rather than having a duration).

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Matter, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Matter Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Matter Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Adaptive Matter Armor
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage gains damage reduction equal to twice their rating in Matter for 8 hours, against all sources that could conceivably be blocked or reduced by Matter. Clothes harden to repel attacks, projectiles soften prior to impact to reduce the blow, the ambient moisture in the air condenses to reduce the flames of a fireball.

Attainment: Room Radar
Beginning at 5th level, while Adaptive Matter Armor is active, the apprentice of Matter is able to sense the absence of (solid) matter when they choose. As an action, they may concentrate and find secret rooms and pockets of space within 30 ft of them.

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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Fraying:Perfecting:Weaving:

Attainment: Alchemist's Touch
Beginning at level 9, the mage may spend 5 mana as an action to become inured to a chosen dangerous material. While concentrating on this effect, the mage may handle this material as if it was not dangerous at all.

The mage might handle radioactive or caustic substances or walk through a cloud of caustic gas with no ill effects. This does not protect against extreme temperatures or forces caused by the material. The mage could not hold lava or be protected from the gravity of super-dense materials.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Phasic Matter
Beginning at level 13, the mage can choose to make matter insubstantial, much like air. This does not cause instability in the overall structure, nor does the target 'fall through' the floor or fly off into space. For 1 mana per turn, the mage may select a target which becomes insubstantial to other matter.

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: Reducto ad Hypaethrus
Beginning at level 17, all successful attacks by the mage may reduce the durability of the materials they strike by one. A successful strike reduces the AC/Hardness/Damage Threshold of the target by one.

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Mind, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Mind Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Mind Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Misperceptive Armor
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage sows subtle doubt in the mind of those who would attack them. The mage gains a bonus to their AC equal to their rating in Mind against enemies with a mind. Constructs, natural phenomenon, or other effects with no cognition are not affected. This lasts for 8 hours.

They also have advantage on Wisdom Saving Throws.

Attainment: Empathic
Beginning at 5th level, while Misperceptive Armor is active, the apprentice of Mind is sensitive to the surface emotions of others. By spending an action to study a target, the mage learns a one word (or short phrase) description of their general state of mind.

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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Fraying:Perfecting:Weaving:

Attainment: Awakened Mind
Beginning at level 9, you learn the ability to touch the minds of other creatures. You can communicate telepathically with any creature you can see within 120 feet of you. You don't need to share a language with the creature for it to understand your telepathic utterances, but the creature must be able to understand at least one language.

You may maintain open telepathic connections with a number of creatures equal to your rating in Mind. While the connection is open, they may freely reply to you. Having more than one connection open at a time requires concentration, like on a spell.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Sanctity of the Mind
Beginning at level 13 the mind of the Adept is their own. The mage's mind cannot be affected or read by magic if they do not allow it and they are aware of all attempts, but not necessarily the source. This also renders them immune to psychic damage.

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: Create Thrall
Beginning at level 17 you gain the ability to dominate a mind with your magic. You can use your action to touch a creature. That creature is then charmed by you until a remove curse spell or similar effect is cast on it, the charmed condition is removed from it, or you use this feature again. You can communicate telepathically with the charmed creature as long as the two of you are on the same plane of existence.

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Prime, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Prime Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Prime Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Universal Counterspell
Beginning at 5h level, the apprentice of Prime is a student of all magic, in some degree. They may substitute their rating in Prime for any other Arcanum for the purposes of *counterspelling* and *dispelling*.

Attainment: Supernal Armor
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage may wrap themselves in a matrix of power, protecting them from harmful magical effects.

When the mage is targeted by a magical effect, the mage has advantage on the saving throw against the spell, an added enhancement bonus on the saving throw equal to their rating in Prime, and damage reduction from magical damage sources equal to twice their rating in Prime for 8 hours.

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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Fraying:Perfecting:Weaving:

Attainment: Price of Hubris
Beginning at level 9, when the mage successfully counterspells a spell and succeeds on the associated check by at least 5 more than the DC, they may instead redirect the spell as if they had cast it themselves.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Imbue Item
Beginning at level 13, the mage may imbue an item with one of their spells and conditions for activation, typically a command word or situational trigger. By casting the spell into the specially prepared item and sealing the magic within, anyone or anything that fulfills the condition may activate the spell.

Multiple uses of the same spell may be imbued into the same item by paying the cost for each use, with one additional mana paid per extra use.

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: Spell Siphon
Beginning at level 17, when the mage successfully counterspells a spell, they may choose instead to absorb it, gaining mana equal to the level of the spell effect or twice the dot rating of the spell.

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Space, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Space Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Space Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Sympathetic Range
Beginning at 5th level, the mage may bypass the range requirements of their spell if they have a strong sympathetic replacement of the subject. For each dot rating in the spell you wish to cast, you must have one different magical representation of the target.

Each item is consumed during the casting of the spell. Sometimes literally in a bout of aetheric flame, sometimes the mystic connection is merely severed, such that they cannot be reused for this purpose.

Examples include: blood of the target or close kin, their name spoken by the target or close kin, a favored possesion, or item of significance, etc. Non-living targets might be represented by schematics used during construction, the deed, or the name spoken by the architect or owner, etc.

Your GM is the ultimate arbiter here.

Attainment: Untouchable Armor
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage makes tiny changes in the fabric of space such that they try to simply not be where an attack would have landed. For the next 8 hours, they gain a bonus to their AC equal to their rating in Space against any attack they are aware of.

They also have advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws, as they can sometimes move themselves out of harms way entirely. If they succeed on a Dexterity Saving Throw to avoid a damaging effect entirely, they may choose to teleport to a space of their choice outside of the range of the effect.

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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Fraying:Perfecting:Weaving:

Attainment: Non Euclidean Geometry
Beginning at level 9, the mage is able to warp space such that points become closer together. As a bonus action, the mage may choose two squares within 120ft of the mage. Until the start of their next turn, the distance between the two squares is contracted, treated as the nominal distance between them divided by their rating in Space.

For example, two squares 30ft apart under an affect by a mage with 3 dots in Space would be treated as 10ft apart.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Anchored
Beginning at level 13, the mage may not be moved or transported by any means against their will. They must be conscious for this effect and it does not prevent damage.

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: One is All
Beginning at level 17, the mage themself is considered connected to all things. For purposes of sympathetic range, they may inflict 10 points of damage to themselves to draw enough blood to count as one sympathetic connection to any target. They may only do this once per long rest and the damage may only be healed via mundane rest.

Spoiler: Spirit

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Purview: Essence, spirits, souls, incorporeality, the Ethereal Plane.

Spoiler: Initiate: 1 Dot

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Compelling:Knowing:Unveiling:

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Space, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Spirit Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Spirit Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Incorporeal Armor
Beginning at 5th level, by spending 4 mana as an action, the mage gains damage reduction equal to twice their rating in Spirit for 8 hours, as they blend themselves between the Material Plane and the Ethereal Plane. When they are struck by attacks, the attacks phase through them even if they do damage.

If they are grappled or otherwise pinned, they instead count it as difficult terrain as they can phase through their captor. This effect is limited and does not work on more substantial barriers like walls.

Attainment: Eyes of the Unseen
Beginning at 5th level, while Incorporeal Armor is active, the apprentice of Spirit is alerted when invisible or ethereal creatures are within 120ft. While using their Mage Sight, they gain a rough sense of direction and number within that range.

They also have Ethereal Sight out to 15ft while they are on the Material Plane. If your sight is opposed by some power or ability, resolve it as you would [Eyes of the Dead](#p11).

Spoiler: Disciple: 3 Dot

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Fraying:Perfecting:Weaving:

Attainment: Ethereal Step
Beginning at level 9, you gain the ability to temporarily step into the Ethereal plane. As a bonus action on your turn, you may step through into the Ethereal plane, returning to the Material plane at the end of your turn.

If you end your turn in a space occupied by matter or a hostile creature, you are shunted to the nearest unoccupied space and take force damage equal to twice the number of feet moved.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Inviolate Soul
Beginning at level 13, the soul of an Adept is their own. The mage cannot be possessed or otherwise have their soul tampered with and they become immune to radiant and psychic damage.

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: Reincarnation
Beginning at level 17, if the mage is killed, its soul has a choice: it may either travel to its final resting place, wherever that may be, or it may travel along the Ethereal plane in an attempt to reincarnate.

Once the mage's soul has found a place it considers safe, it may form a sort of spiritual cocoon that slowly leeches matter from the Material Plane, reforming their body over the next week.

While in this state, the mage is extremely vulnerable. If the mage is killed while in spirit form on the Ethereal plane, the mage is permanently killed and may not be revived by any means.

Spoiler: Time

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Purview: Prophecy, change, postcognition, time travel, time contraction and dilation.

Spoiler: Initiate: 1 Dot

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Compelling:Knowing:Unveiling:

Attainment: Counterspell
Beginning at 2nd level, if you have at least 1 dot in Time, you may cast Counterspell and Dispel Magic like effects pertaining to the Time Arcanum.

This functions like [Counterspell (Death)](#p11), but applied to the Time Arcanum.

Spoiler: Apprentice: 2 Dot

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Ruling:Shielding:Veiling:

Attainment: Temporal Armor
Beginning at 5th level, the mage becomes more difficult to harm by either speeding themselves up or slowing down attacks against them. By spending 4 mana as an action, the mage gains a bonus to their AC equal to their rating in Time for 8 hours.

They also have advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws.

Attainment: Postcognition
Beginning at 5th level, while Temporal Armor is active, the apprentice of Time is easily able to part the tides of time to view the past. By spending 1 minute in meditation, the mage may peel back the barrier of the past to witness events in their current location as if they were physically present to view them. The mage must Concentrate while viewing these events and is blind and deaf to their surroundings for the duration. They may only view for up to an hour, and the amount of time they can look back depends on their rating in Time.

Attainment: Temporal Shift
Beginning at level 9, the mage may speed up time for themselves so that they can accomplish more in one turn. By spending 5 mana as a free action, the mage may reduce the time it takes to accomplish a task down by one step, from 1 minute > full round action > action > bonus action > reaction.

This does change the rules for casting multiple spells in one round.

Spoiler: Adept: 4 Dot

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Patterning:Unwraveling:

Attainment: Perfect Time
Beginning at level 13, the Adept of Time gains a sense of precognition. During combat, all participants must state their actions (or intent) at the beginning of their turns. After learning their intent, the adept of Time may choose to take their turn before that participant.

They still only have one turn per round.

Spoiler: Master: 5 Dot

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Making:Unmaking:

Attainment: Rewrite History
Beginning at level 17, the mage can rewrite their own history. By spending 10 mana, the mage may rewind time a number of turns up to their rating in Time. They retain their memories of what could have been, but no one else does.

Unless the mage interferes with events, they play out the same as they did before. Creatures take the same actions, roll the same result, deal the same damage. This interference must be material to the interaction to cause a deviation in the timeline.

Re: The Awakened Mage

First off, neat art.

Really good base features-d8 hit die, light armor, three skills...

Also, homebrewery is doing that thing where it cuts off some text.

With what I can see, though... It feels like you're trying to jam an entirely different system into 5E. I'm sure Mage is an awesome game-but if you want to convert parts of it to 5E, you have to actually CONVERT. You can't just copy-paste it over.

Re: The Awakened Mage

Sounds like both of you ran into formatting problems. Are you using Chrome? It has known issues with Firefox and I don't know if it works right in Safari (doubt it).

> With what I can see, though... It feels like you're trying to jam an entirely different system into 5E. I'm sure Mage is an awesome game-but if you want to convert parts of it to 5E, you have to actually CONVERT. You can't just copy-paste it over.

Yes and no. Mage is a very different game so this is already very different from the base. But what I also wanted was something *different* than just another vancian or spell point variant caster with different ribbons.

I can understand unease at the system being different, but is there anything you can point to that's incompatible? What things jump out at you as 'needs to be converted' so I can better understand what that means?

I don't want to reject valid feedback or misrepresent your position, but I also want to push back on the idea that we need to confirm too strictly to established character class structures. If Warlock wasn't in the PHB, would a homebrew with pacts and invocations be dismissed as not fitting 5e?

Re: The Awakened Mage

I saw this and was going to wait to give feedback until you added what I feel is the most important part, spellcasting rules and Creative Thaumaturgy. I will say that I feel CT is core to Mage and should not be a voluntary DM approval part of the system. If the DM okays you to play Mage, that should include CT. If you are playing Mage and not using CT, are you even playing Mage?

As others have stated, its difficult to read through your document, because homebrewery cuts of lots of text, which makes it less interesting to give feedback.

The amount of mana gained is strange. Considering it costs 4 mana to cast a non-rote spell, why do they get 5 per day(I'm assuming its per day)? What does the 1 extra mana do? Also just one non-rote(cantrip) spell cast per day at lvl 1? That's warlock level, and it doesn't say anywhere I can see that Mage regains mana on a short rest. I can't find anything about mana regain actually. It seems you are missing some fundamental parts of the class in detailing how spellcasting works, you are assuming the reader knows what mana is and how it is used, regained etc. But this is a document with the rules for a class, you have to state the rules that apply to it. The more precise and through you are in your rules language, the better.

I like your write up of the paths and how you connect them to dnd lore, makes it feel more like it fits with the world. I'm intrigued by the custom paths, that could be cool making your own path.

The document itself looks nice for the most part. I like the atlantean symbols and the Mage images used, and the pictures for the most part are very nice, but some places they cover up the text.
The really annoying part is the text being move to the side. I don't use homebrewery, but when that happens in gmbinder it is usually because you've left too little space for the text on the page, moving the text into a third column when reading.

Overall I'm excited to see Mage ported and converted into dnd, but you are missing the most essential parts: the spell examples, spellcasting rules and creative thaumaturgy.

I have one piece of advice though: remember that paradox is supposed to be the limiting factor on a Mage. Its fine to make Mage a bit stronger than other spellcasters, as long as they have paradox to reign them in. You even have already made resources that can be used in a paradox: conditions, outsider stat blocks, even wild magic surge tables, all these can be used to make paradox management easier than in Mage itself.

Re: The Awakened Mage

Originally Posted by JNAProductions

It feels like you're trying to jam an entirely different system into 5E. I'm sure Mage is an awesome game-but if you want to convert parts of it to 5E, you have to actually CONVERT. You can't just copy-paste it over.

Yep. While I'm more familiar with the predecessor Mage: the Ascension, both Mage games are based around the idea of coming up with spells on the fly (yes, despite Awakening having a large spell list, the idea is to make it easier to judge effects). This works mainly because everybody is a mage, both games have been noted to have PCs so powerful that once they've built up some experience they trample over the PCs of other gamelines but mixed games aren't intentional.

Honestly, CofD Mages would have their thematics transition into D&D5e wonderfully as a Sorcerer Bloodline. Give them an Additional Spell Known at levels 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 from any list in the game, Second Sight/Mage Sight at level 1, and the ability to Reach their spells (increase range, targets, area, or damage) at risk of Paradox at a higher level, and maybe one more ability that seems magical enough. Or instead of extra spells known let them replace their native Spell List with that of any class. Sure, it won't play anything like the original Mage, but it's translating thematics over mechanics.

Spoiler: CofD to D&D ramblings

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Honestly, if I was translating a CofD game for more variety in D&D I'd go with Changeling. Gain 1 Glamour Point per level, refill on short rests, this fuels most of your magical powers (yes, this is so much unlike the way Changeling works, but it balances better). At level 1 you gain your Seeming subclass, which gives you a minor at-will ability, the ability to heal yourself with Glamour, and possibly something else. Level 2 grants you your Kith, which gives you a 1 Glamour ability, and your first Common Contract (abilities equivalent to 1st or 2nd level spells, costing one or more points of Glamour, and each having a Loophole which when fulfilled negates the Glamour cost. You can take a Contract you can't pay for, but can only use it when fulfilling the loophole). 3rd level you get the ability to enhance your Seeming ability for Glamour, 5th level sees you get your first Royal contract (equivalent to 3rd to 5th level spells), and you fill the class out to make a sort of skill-monkey half caster, reliant on Glamour/Loopholes for great combat ability. I'd go into more, but it's late.

I'd do something similar for CofD vampires (your Clan is your subclass, the class mainly focuses on building your ability to use Disciplines and Vitae), the idea behind both is that you multiclass out if you want to gain proficiency in 'standard adventuring skills'. In fact I have rough ideas for how I'd do a 'Monte Cooke's World of Darkness 5e edition', the really big pains are Werewolves (do I give additional forms with levels or heavily frontload the class), Mummies (hello logarithmically decreasing power), and Demons (oh boy, Cover), but the way it treats the Mage is very different (half caster spell point class, gets full casting ability in Favoured Arcanum, but is delayed by two spell levels in their Inferior Arcanum and one in the rest). It also includes a bunch of 5 level classes based around the idea of 'I want to boost mundane skills' (currently the Brawler, the Charmer, the Mechanic, the Rogue, the Scholar, and the Soldier). I guess I should actually sit down and turn the rough plan into something actually substantial.

But yes, the class as presented works, kind of? It's certainly got the potential to be balanced, but there's a few odd bits (such as the 1st-3rd level mana progression leaving you with useless points). We really can't say much more until we know what the spell lists will look like. Paradox is also strangely downplayed, which would make sense for an Ascension conversion (as the Consensus in most D&D settings would likely be very broad), but doesn't so much fit for Awakening (where, especially in 2e, Paradox is more about overreaching your abilities).

Snazzy avatar (now back! ) by Honest Tiefling.

RIP Laser-Snail, may you live on in our hearts forever.

Spoiler: playground quotes

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Originally Posted by Zelphas

So here I am, trapped in my laboratory, trying to create a Mechabeast that's powerful enough to take down the howling horde outside my door, but also won't join them once it realizes what I've done...twentieth time's the charm, right?

Originally Posted by Lord Raziere

How about a Jovian Uplift stuck in a Case morph? it makes so little sense.

Re: The Awakened Mage

I hear you guys on the formatting. I'll see if I can switch it to GM Binder. Hopefully there are fewer formatting snafus. It's hard to tell because on *my* computer, there aren't.

Originally Posted by Kael_Thor

I saw this and was going to wait to give feedback until you added what I feel is the most important part, spellcasting rules and Creative Thaumaturgy. I will say that I feel CT is core to Mage and should not be a voluntary DM approval part of the system. If the DM okays you to play Mage, that should include CT. If you are playing Mage and not using CT, are you even playing Mage?

You might be a bit disappointed. I am not porting Creative Thaumaturgy, merely stealing the name. It was intended to be a spell creation and balancing guide so that players and DMs have some common points of reference for creating spells that fit a 5-dot scale and fit the Arcanum Practices appropriately. It was not meant to be what it is in Mage: The Awakening. And that's okay because the answer to your question is no, we aren't playing Mage. I'm trying to bring some of the creative spirit of Mage to D&D as well as some fun flavor, but I'm not trying to sneak the entire game into D&D. It is explicitly not my goal.

For context to those unaware, in Mage basically all spells are improvised. It uses the 'Creative Thaumaturgy' system which is really well designed. However, it's simply not balanced for D&D, both from a power level and versatility standpoint. I would either have to cripple it so that it was dissatisfying to play or it would be too powerful compared to other D&D options.

Originally Posted by Kael_Thor

The amount of mana gained is strange. Considering it costs 4 mana to cast a non-rote spell, why do they get 5 per day(I'm assuming its per day)? What does the 1 extra mana do? Also just one non-rote(cantrip) spell cast per day at lvl 1? That's warlock level, and it doesn't say anywhere I can see that Mage regains mana on a short rest. I can't find anything about mana regain actually. It seems you are missing some fundamental parts of the class in detailing how spellcasting works, you are assuming the reader knows what mana is and how it is used, regained etc. But this is a document with the rules for a class, you have to state the rules that apply to it. The more precise and through you are in your rules language, the better.

Those are fair points. I was more concerned with the overall scaling than the specifics and I missed that. It could also be vestigial from when rotes had a different cost. I'll need to think on how to correct it. I was hoping for it to be less 'jumpy' than the spell point progression, but that may not be possible. There are also uses of mana via attainments that should be factored in. I was trying to be conservative with the mana pool but maybe it needs to be bumped in the early levels. At later levels, there are enough ways to use mana that the exact number is less important.

Not mentioning mana regen (and use) was an oversight. It is intended to be regained on a long rest. I'll add that, as well as some verbiage similar to how sorcery points or spell points are worded from the PHB and DMG.

Originally Posted by Kael_Thor

I like your write up of the paths and how you connect them to dnd lore, makes it feel more like it fits with the world. I'm intrigued by the custom paths, that could be cool making your own path.

The document itself looks nice for the most part. I like the atlantean symbols and the Mage images used, and the pictures for the most part are very nice, but some places they cover up the text.
The really annoying part is the text being move to the side. I don't use homebrewery, but when that happens in gmbinder it is usually because you've left too little space for the text on the page, moving the text into a third column when reading.

Thanks! I was fairly pleased with that. I'm not super happy about my choice for Obrimos being tied to the Elemental Planes - they certainly fit, but they're cosmologically complicated compared to all of the others. Yet, there isn't a great counterpart to the Aether.

I'd appreciate screenshots of places where it's not legible (because there aren't any when I view it :/). I can also provide a copy with the imagery removed.

Originally Posted by Kael_Thor

Overall I'm excited to see Mage ported and converted into dnd, but you are missing the most essential parts: the spell examples, spellcasting rules and creative thaumaturgy.

I have one piece of advice though: remember that paradox is supposed to be the limiting factor on a Mage. Its fine to make Mage a bit stronger than other spellcasters, as long as they have paradox to reign them in. You even have already made resources that can be used in a paradox: conditions, outsider stat blocks, even wild magic surge tables, all these can be used to make paradox management easier than in Mage itself.

There is backlash from paradox from improvised spells, but I'm hesitant to add it elsewhere. Structurally, the class has a lot in common with Sorcerer with spell points, but with Bloodlines = Arcanum being more flexible. Improvised spells are a structural add on and come with an expensive cost to discourage frequent use: exhaustion. It's not clear to me where else paradox belongs, both for balance reasons and I kind of hate the Wild Magic bloodline. How do you think Paradox should limit mages besides in their improvised spells?

Originally Posted by Anonymouswizard

Yep. While I'm more familiar with the predecessor Mage: the Ascension, both Mage games are based around the idea of coming up with spells on the fly (yes, despite Awakening having a large spell list, the idea is to make it easier to judge effects). This works mainly because everybody is a mage, both games have been noted to have PCs so powerful that once they've built up some experience they trample over the PCs of other gamelines but mixed games aren't intentional.

Honestly, CofD Mages would have their thematics transition into D&D5e wonderfully as a Sorcerer Bloodline. Give them an Additional Spell Known at levels 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 from any list in the game, Second Sight/Mage Sight at level 1, and the ability to Reach their spells (increase range, targets, area, or damage) at risk of Paradox at a higher level, and maybe one more ability that seems magical enough. Or instead of extra spells known let them replace their native Spell List with that of any class. Sure, it won't play anything like the original Mage, but it's translating thematics over mechanics.

I mean, that's kind of where I'm coming from, but you mix and match the Arcanum instead. I was hesitant to bring in Creative Thaumaturgy itself because it'd bog down the game if used regularly (this is okay in Mage where it's what everyone is doing and the primary mechanic) and be incredibly challenging, if not impossible to balance.

Originally Posted by Anonymouswizard

Spoiler on Changeling + Other CofD Ports

I know Changeling exists, but I haven't read it. It's on my reading list though! It sounds like you almost have a very interesting working concept. Maybe you take Changeling and I'll keep working on my Mage one. ;)

I'm also very interested in your ideas for other ports. If you wanted to start a brainstorming thread for any of them, I'd go pick up a book and try to help. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the idea of a class called 'Mage' being a half-caster (but also a full caster?). I'm very confused how that would work

Originally Posted by Anonymouswizard

But yes, the class as presented works, kind of? It's certainly got the potential to be balanced, but there's a few odd bits (such as the 1st-3rd level mana progression leaving you with useless points). We really can't say much more until we know what the spell lists will look like. Paradox is also strangely downplayed, which would make sense for an Ascension conversion (as the Consensus in most D&D settings would likely be very broad), but doesn't so much fit for Awakening (where, especially in 2e, Paradox is more about overreaching your abilities).

Any spell list provided would be with the same purpose of the lists in Mage: for demonstration of what is within range of each dot rating. My goal with this class was to allow creativity between a player and DM in a structured way. Create your rotes and praxes upfront and get them OK-ed by the DM so that you have the fluff and flavor of Mage but you still largely cast like a normal caster in D&D. Then there is the exhausting improvised route that shouldn't be used often.

Paradox being downplayed was partially out of a lack of ideas for how it should be incorporated, partially for lore reasons, partially balance reasons, partially simplicity, etc. The class is already complicated. And, ultimately, this is a D&D class, not a Mage game so I'm comfortable with not every single mechanic being ported fully. But I'm open to suggestions - paradox IS a fun mechanic. But a larger role for paradox would mean a buff to the class in some way to compensate. Without Reach, I don't know what that would look like and going down that rabbit trail just leads, again, to porting most of Creative Thaumaturgy from mage.

Re: The Awakened Mage

Alright, I haven't made any mechanical changes (i.e. the weird mana progression that definitely needs changing), but all the content should be formatted fine, if a bit boring, on the first and second posts.